It goes without saying most actors want to be seen. Movies and TV shows usually make them as prominent as possible. These thespians want to be remembered, score more gigs, and expand their craft. Some defy that mantra, however.
Certain actors take jobs where they’re largely hidden from the camera. Often, this is because they’re new to the industry and not yet established as stars. Sometimes, even the most decorated performers just want to have fun by popping in for a sneaky cameo. Whatever the circumstances, these actors are extremely hard to spot.
Elijah Wood
Elijah Wood’s first movie was Back to the Future Part II. During the opening sequence, Marty goes into a café and sees two young boys booting up an old arcade game. Wood plays one of those kids. It’s not a huge role.
Today, fans mainly know him as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings, but he’s also appeared in other genre projects like Sin City and Happy Feet. He usually occupies the starring spot or other significant role, so his brief beginning in Back to the Future seems pretty quaint in hindsight. [1]
Jason Scott Lee
Also in the early futuristic sequence of Back to the Future Part II, Jason Scott Lee plays a member of Griff Tannen’s gang. Like the rest of his family, this bionic bully has a crew of thugs. Lee does that as well as anyone, but he’d quickly do more.
This actor has occupied all kinds of characters throughout his career. His starring roles included Bruce Lee in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story and an adult Mowgli in 1994’s The Jungle Book, both of which came soon after his Back to the Future bit part. Since then, he’s had supporting parts and guest spots in a number of other projects, from Lilo & Stitch to Hawaii Five-0 to 2021’s Mulan. [2]
Salma Hayek
Four Rooms is a comedic anthology movie. The most bizarre part goes to Salma Hayek in the “Misbehavers” segment. She pops up on a dirty TV program, which the naughty children watch out of curiosity. You don’t even see her face. The camera just lingers on her scantily-clad body as she dances. It’s a cartoonish cameo.
Hayek frequently has memorable roles in Robert Rodriguez flicks, the most famous being Carolina in Desperado and Santanico Pandemonium in From Dusk Till Dawn, but that’s not the extent of her filmography.
The actress also charmed audiences as Frida Kahlo in Frida, Kitty Softpaws in the Puss in Boots movies, and Sonia Kinkaid in the Hitman’s Bodyguard flicks. Despite that success, one of her first Hollywood parts amounted to nameless eye candy. [3]
Bruce Spence
Bruce Spence is a character actor. He’s filled his career with quirky figures like Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander in Legend of the Seeker, Mr. Wall in Dark City, and the wily gyro pilot in two Mad Max flicks. At first glance, he seemed to do the same in The Lord of the Rings.
Spence shows up in the third entry—Return of the King—as the Mouth of Sauron. Leading up to the grand finale, the Fellowship rides to Mordor and demands that the Dark Lord Sauron come to discuss terms. Emerging from the gate is a cloaked rider who tries to taunt and demoralize the heroes. However, it’s nearly impossible to see Spence in this character. Only the lower half of his face is visible. Plus, the sound team deepens his voice to a hellish growl. [4]
Cate Blanchett
Early in the absurdist action-comedy Hot Fuzz, cop Nicholas Angel faces ostracization. Among those washing their hands of him is his ex-girlfriend, played by Cate Blanchett. With such a high-profile talent, you’d think the filmmakers would draw attention to her, but she’s completely covered from head to toe. Her character is part of the forensic team, so only her eyes are visible.
Audiences mainly know Blanchett for her dramatic work. She’s made her name playing regal, serious figures like Queen Elizabeth I in the Elizabeth films, Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings, Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator, and Irina Spalko in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Hot Fuzz is not her kind of movie. [5]
Maude Hirst
The Harry Potter films are a veritable “Who’s Who” of acclaimed English actors, but they also house several fresh-faced child stars who would go on to other projects. Among them was Maude Hirst, who appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Her character isn’t named; she’s simply one of the many Hogwarts students.
Though she’s had other projects over the years, Hirst’s career largely stays in the family. She’s the daughter of Michael Hirst, the writer of such historical dramas as the Elizabeth films, The Tudors, and Vikings. Maude had recurring roles in the latter two projects. [6]
Daniel Webber
An actor who’s quietly emerged in recent years is Daniel Webber. He’s made a name for himself playing young, troubled souls like Paul Large in Danger Close, Vince Neil in The Dirt, and Lewis Wilson in The Punisher TV show. His most high-profile role has been Jesse Evans in 2022’s Billy the Kid series. During that show, though, he stepped into a much smaller part.
Webber briefly pops into Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Namely, he’s one of the War Boys: the pale, devoted followers of Immortan Joe. The villainous despot has hundreds of these guys at his command, and their designs make them all look the same. It’s virtually impossible to pick Webber out from the crowd. [7]
Garret Dillahunt
Another character actor, Garrett Dillahunt, has been virtually unpredictable in his film and TV choices. In addition to countless guest spots and supporting roles, fans know him as Burt Chance in Raising Hope, John Dorie in Fear the Walking Dead, and two AI entities in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
He also appeared as two characters in the Deadwood TV show. In the first season, he played the sleazy Jack McCall, the drunkard who shoots Wild Bill Hickok. In the second season, he returned as Francis Wolcott. In what must be a private joke, Dillahunt donned yet another new face in Deadwood: The Movie. [8]
Timothy Olyphant
In many ways, Rango is an animated tribute to classic westerns. It makes no secret of that through its familiar story of an intrepid lawman coming to town and saving it from outlaws. When that lawman is at his lowest, though, he wanders the eerie desert and discovers a man in a golf cart. He’s the very image of a gunslinger—decked out in dusty cowboy garb and a ragged poncho. Rango even refers to him as “The Man with No Name.” This guy is clearly supposed to be Clint Eastwood, but that’s not who plays him.
Instead, Timothy Olyphant voices the mythic figure. Many of Olyphant’s best-known characters have been cowboys and/or lawmen. [9]
John Wayne
John Wayne was one of the biggest movie stars who ever lived. The Duke headlined countless classics over his long career. Most of his projects were westerns, which is why people saw him as indicative of the genre. It’s also what made his last movie so unexpected.
Technically, John Wayne was in Star Wars. During the 1977 original, the heroes attempt a stealthy escape from the seedy desert planet of Tatooine. Unfortunately, a spy informs the Galactic Empire of their plans. The hooded rat is an alien who only speaks in indeterminate squeaks. Sound designer Ben Burtt revealed that those sounds are actually unused audio samples from the Duke’s movies. [10]
From Elijah Wood’s small role in Back to the Future II to John Wayne’s sounds recycled in Star Wars, these hidden performances offer a fun glimpse into the careers of famous actors. Sometimes, the biggest stars appear where you least expect them!
Did you know about these hidden roles? Leave your comment below!
